Secretary for the Environment KS Wong launched Clean Harbour 1 today, the Drainage Services Department sludge vessel built under Stage 2A of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme.
The vessel, together with the new Clean Harbour 2, will deliver sludge from the Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works to a treatment facility in Tuen Mun, significantly minimising road traffic.
Being the first two environmentally-friendly vessels in Hong Kong, they use supper low-sulphur diesel while sailing and switch to electric power at berth.
Mr Wong said the treatment scheme has significantly improved water quality in Victoria Harbour. All closed beaches in Tsuen Wan have reopened, the suspended Cross-Harbour Swimming Race was revived in 2011, and the International Dragon Boat Races are being held in the harbour again.
Director of Drainage Services Daniel Chung said that after the commissioning of Stage 2A of the scheme, the sludge generated daily at Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works will rise from 600 tonnes to 800, and ultimately to 1,200.
"We have built the first two environmentally friendly cargo vessels in Hong Kong for sludge delivery to minimise the traffic and environmental impacts arising from sludge delivery."
Upon commissioning in the third quarter this year, the treatment scheme will be able to treat all the sewage generated on both sides of the harbour.
Sewage collected will be conveyed to Stonecutters Island for treatment, and the sludge generated will be shipped to Tuen Mun where its volume will be reduced by 90%.
